LevelPlay for all: Metamoki increases ARPDAU 50% and Bagelcode grows revenue 30%

ironSource is the first mediation platform to democratize in-app bidding by giving any developer access to the solution without pre-approval. In the past, developers needed to meet a certain DAU  threshold before using an in-app bidding solution. Now, no matter the size of your portfolio, player base, or experience, you can use LevelPlay to monetize more efficiently. 

Here’s how one small and one medium-sized studio used LevelPlay to maximize ARPDAU and save time doing it. This is the story of Marie Kim, UA & Monetization Team lead for Bagelcode and Eiso Kawamoto, Head of Product, Monetization, and User Acquisition at Metamoki.

While Metamoki and Bagelcode have different business structures and resources, they both have examples of small DAU apps that succeeded with LevelPlay. Metamoki is a mobile game developer and publisher based in San Francisco with a small agile team and a handful of hit games, including Dungeon Shop Tycoon and Wiz Khalifa’s Weed Farm. Meanwhile, Bagelcode is a global social casino game developer from Korea with a portfolio that includes many games - both hits and “niche” hits - like Jackpotjoy, Star Spins, and Bingo Lane. 

Have time to focus on your game - not your waterfall

Before using LevelPlay for their game Club Vegas, Bagelcode was testing 3 networks continuously. Having to run the tests so frequently was cumbersome and time-consuming because they had to operate 3-5 instances for each network, check each instance’s eCPM  performance status and impressions regularly, modify the target CPM, change the instance rankings, and decide whether to switch them on/off. There were simply too many manual operations for the revenue they were generating.

In Marie Kim’s words, “Frankly, we think that traditional waterfall is really inefficient, especially with the level of technological advancement nowadays, and we were very excited to hear that ironSource would be making LevelPlay available.” After testing in-app bidding on iOS, they moved their entire monetization strategy over to LevelPlay.

Before LevelPlay, Bagelcode had to constantly test every network they partnered with to find the best CPM. LevelPlay simplified Bagelcode’s operations through automated in-app bidding, establishing a hybrid waterfall framework that made it easier for them to manage their entire monetization strategy. Instead of pinpointing the perfect CPM, they could spend more time focusing on other operational aspects, like improving gameplay and increasing retention. 

Comparing LevelPlay vs. traditional waterfall with the bidding test tool

For Metamoki, making the switch over to an entirely new monetization model like in-app bidding initially felt like a risk. But, they used the LevelPlay bidding test tool to make sure LevelPlay was right for them. Unlike most other bid testing tools that are very complicated and make it difficult to interpret results, Metamoki was able to set up LevelPlay easily and quickly by activating it with a simple toggle switch in the dashboard.

"After 2 weeks of testing, LevelPlay ultimately outperformed so we completely turned to LevelPlay."

- Marie Kim, UA & Monetization Team lead for Bagelcode

When Bagelcode tried the bidding test tool for Club Vegas, they also found it very simple and easy to use. As Kim describes it, “We tested LevelPlay on both platforms, so it was very easy for us to compare the data. After 2 weeks of testing, LevelPlay ultimately outperformed so we completely turned to LevelPlay.”

The direct effect of LevelPlay on ARPDAU

Time and time again, game studios of all sizes that use LevelPlay see an increase in ARPDAU and a correlated increase in eCPM. This is partly due to the fact that the in-app bidding model promotes competition. As more advertisers vie to bid on your game, they drive the price of the bids up, resulting in higher ARPDAU for you. 

Using the bidding test tool on their existing apps ahead of a new game launch, Metamoki increased ARPDAU 50% in less than one month for their game Idle Fishing Story. It blew our minds. We were extremely pleased with the results we saw with LevelPlay. In ironSource, we felt like we had a true partner that helped us grow our game and exceed our revenue goals.

“It’s blowing our minds. In ironSource, we felt like we had a true partner that helped us grow our game and exceed our revenue goals.”

- Eiso Kawamoto, Head of Product, Monetization, and User Acquisition at Metamoki

After seeing how successful LevelPlay was in boosting ARPDAU and freeing up significant time in their daily operations, they decided to launch their newest title, Dungeon Shop Tycoon with 100% of traffic on LevelPlay from Day 1.

Bagelcode, too, experienced impressive results, with a 45% increase in eCPM, 30% revenue jump, and 27% boost to ARPDAU. Kim said, “Since then, we are 200% satisfied with LevelPlay and working with the ironSource team. We look forward to the further growth in our partnership.”

"We experienced a 45% increase in eCPM, 30% revenue jump, and 27% boost to ARPDAU. We are 200% satisfied with LevelPlay and working with the ironSource team. ”

- Marie Kim, UA & Monetization Team lead for Bagelcode

Count on having a helping hand

Metamoki saw the value in having a dedicated team to guide them through launch on LevelPlay. The ironSource team helped them set up their account and optimize their mediation to make sure they got the most out of LevelPlay. And for the developers that land somewhere right in the middle when it comes to their size and scale, Bagelcode recognized how ironSource offered tailored support and became a true partner.

As Metamoki and Bagelcode prove here, it doesn’t matter how big or small your operation; you can benefit from automating your monetization strategy. On the one hand, you free up the time and resources wasted on managing traditional waterfall campaigns so you can devote them to other parts of the operation. And on the other, the automatic bidding and testing model eliminates wasted revenue opportunities by creating a fully optimized monetization strategy. Sounds like a win-win.

What are you waiting for? Get LevelPlay today.